Plain English Meaning

A remote radio site that extends a Flight Service Station's reach. You call on the RCO frequency from the cockpit, and a briefer at the FSS hears you and answers, even though the FSS itself may be hundreds of miles away.

Full Definition

An unstaffed VHF radio transceiver, located away from a Flight Service Station (FSS), that lets pilots talk to an FSS specialist by radio from areas the FSS's main antennas cannot reach. The pilot transmits on the published RCO frequency, and the signal is relayed by landline or other link back to the parent FSS, where a briefer responds.

Context Anchor

Seen in Flight Service Station discussions, on charts, and in the Chart Supplement when a pilot needs a frequency to for , -plan, or other information.